Wednesday 22 July 14:05
- 15:35
Hall: 25 - Room 4 SPT
Chair and Presenter:
Bernabei Pamela
Discussant:
Palumbo Gabriella
Division: Division 4: Environmental Psychology
The physical and cultural environment deeply shapes human perception, behavior, and wellbeing, while people, in turn, transform their surroundings through creativity, culture, and social practices. This symposium explores Hortus Lizori, a unique case of rural regeneration that integrates psychology, architecture, ecology, and education, transforming a medieval village into a living laboratory of human-environment interaction.
The initiative originates from the vision of Antonio Meneghetti, founder of the ontopsychological school, who emphasized the role of ecobiology—the dynamic relation between the person and their environment—as a foundation for psychophysical wellbeing and civic life. Lizori's restoration thus represents not only cultural heritage renewal but also an application of this vision to education, community, and sustainability.
The symposium is novel and relevant for ICAP 2026 because it introduces a transdisciplinary model where ecobiology is applied to real-world contexts of heritage regeneration and higher education. Hortus Lizori has also been officially recognized on the United Nations SDGs Partnerships Platform as an example of concrete implementation of the 2030 Agenda, further underscoring its global value. The project contributes directly to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Each presentation offers a unique perspective:
1. Intellectual and philosophical foundations of human-environment relations.
2. Architectural restoration and design for wellbeing.
3. Empirical methods for measuring human-environment interactions.
4. Pedagogical models engaging more than 30 universities worldwide.
5. Sustainability, partnerships, and civic ecology for global impact.
Together, these perspectives present Lizori as a model for higher education, interdisciplinary research, and rural regeneration, bridging science, culture, and community to design healthier and more sustainable futures.
